Practical Parenting

Playing It Safe in the Great Outdoors

by Liza N. Burby

While playing outside this summer, your children are likely to encounter two hazards that we often forget to teach them about: dogs bites and dehydration. While the two are not related except that both can hurt our children, we need to prepare them to take care of themselves so that neither becomes an issue.

Dog Bites: Does your child know what to do when he or she is approached by an unfamiliar dog? Instinct will tell them to run away, but kids and adults alike need to understand that because it's a dog's instinct to chase moving objects, you should tell your child to do the opposite. Instruct them to act like a tree by standing still with feet together and fists folded under their neck, with arms and elbows against their chest. Avoid eye contact and speak in soothing tones. Usually, if you stand still long enough, the dog will get bored and move on.

Dehydration: Kids are too busy running around to realize they have worked up a sweat in the heat and humidity. Because of their immature nervous systems and a lack of awareness that they are getting overheated, they are more prone to heat-related problems such as cramps, heatstroke and exhaustion.

Bob Rountree, coauthor with Janet Zand and Rachel Walton of "A Parent's Guide to Medical Emergencies" (Avery, $11.95), says kids need to drink water—and plenty of it. "But if they wait until they're thirsty, it's too late, because that means they are getting dehydrated," he warns.

Try to get children 10 and younger to drink at least a few ounces of water about every 30 minutes. You can also give them diluted fruit juices or even electrolyte formulas. Older kids can probably go every hour and are more likely to keep tabs on their intake themselves.

Homesick Campers: Have you received a letter from your child recently begging you to save her from the horrible camp you sent her to, or a weepy phone call? Chances are, your camper is homesick, and that is perfectly normal. How to help them? Send letters. Ideally, you should send a letter ahead of time so that it arrives when your camper does. But be careful never to say things to your child like, "I miss you so much I can't sleep at night." Or "Since you've been gone, we're doing all these terrific things with your little brother." These statements will only make them feel worse. It's better to be positive and to let them know you love them. Your letters can include small items that remind them you are thinking of them, too, such as a pack of gum, stickers, puzzles or games.

If your child is still having a hard time, the camp director will probably call you to discuss ways to make your child happy. If nothing works, you may have to consider that the placement may have been a mismatch, so you'll know for next summer.

A Book For Dad: Men often feel sidelined as their wives and partners go through pregnancy, childbirth and nursing. But "New Father Book: What Every New Father Needs to Know to Be a Good Dad," by Wade F Horn, Ph.D., and Jeffrey Rosenberg, M.S.W., of the National Fatherhood Initiative (Better Homes and Gardens Books, $9.95) puts fathers right into the center of the action with tips, advice and support from dads.

For Your Teen: The news is filled with tragic stories of teens dying, not the least of which is the Columbine, CO tragedy in April. For each of those stories, there are real teens who are suffering the loss of a friend. "When a Friend Dies: A Book for Teens About Grieving & Healing" by Marilyn E. Gootman, Ed.D. (Free Spirit Publishing, $7.95) is a new book that in only 107 pages helps teens learn to mourn. Parents and teachers who have experienced a painful loss will find it helpful as well.

Liza N. Burby is an award-winning author and an accomplished public speaker. She is the mother of two daughters, Danielle, age 9 and Laura, age 5, and is married to Stephen, a high school teacher. They live in Huntington Station, NY. She is a frequent contributor to Working Moms' Internet Refuge.

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